Writer’s block is real and hits everyone from time to time — even professionals. While it can be easy to explain your business or expertise one-on-one with someone, putting it down on paper can be tough. Freelance writers are a great resource!

Below, we’ve compiled the names and information of several freelance writers in Wisconsin. Feel free to contact them the next time you’re in need of some writing assistance!

Shelby Deering

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

I’m a freelance writer, editor and owner of Shelby Deering, LLC, and I’m based in Madison, Wis. I have over a decade of experience in the publishing industry, seven of which were spent as a staffed editor at an award-winning national magazine. My specialty is lifestyle writing, and I have been published in a number of local and national publications on topics ranging from food to fashion to fair trade and much more.

A great deal of my time is devoted to writing for fellow small business owners, so I’d love to contribute content to Nature’s Pathways on behalf of your products or services. From fitness services to organic products, I have created content for websites and blogs and I also create and manage social media platforms for small businesses. Please visit my website to learn more about me and view my portfolio.

Married with two fur kids (Ginger, a corgi, and Coco, a cat), I’m an avid runner who competes in endurance events and coaches running groups, seeks out the best local vegetarian cuisine, and enjoys spending time with any and all animals. Health topics are of great interest to me. I’ve been a coach with Girls on the Run for eight years, and I have completed a number of endurance events, including two triathlons last summer. And I’ve recently started taking hot yoga classes, which has really upped my game.

Dale Drzadinski

I am a freelance writer who specializes in promoting individuals and small businesses that are making a difference in their community with the products or services they sell and the causes they support. Whether that's for an individual, an e-commerce business, a home based business, or a good old brick and mortar retail location, my articles and stories bring out the best in the people, brands or businesses they run. My work has focused on issues such as sustainability (e.g., composting, etc.), food security, social media best practices, shop local/small business, family and more.

Jill Harp

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

To summarize my background, over the last two years I have been freelance writing for clients such as Post-Crescent Media, C.E.S.A. 6 and Duck Creek Winery, writing feature articles, grants and marketing pieces. This past year (2014), I edited a large health and wellness workbook and video series for Peaceful Pace Corporate Wellness Program and am now growing their social media presence via weekly posts.

Prior to freelancing, I regularly wrote professional correspondence, manuals, narrative appraisals, technical plans, reports, municipal ordinances and grants as part of my government and consulting positions, which required research, organization, a detailed eye and a specific tone tailored to each piece.

As part of my continued pursuit to edit and write, I specifically contacted Nature’s Pathways because of their personal health and wellness content. Having spent two months editing a health and wellness program (Peaceful Pace), I became intimately affected, in a positive way, by the information and experts within the program, several of which are monthly columnists and advertisers in the magazine.

One reason I love writing and editing is that I get an opportunity to learn new things about new topics and then be an integral part of sharing that information through an edited and/or written product. In having the positive experience I personally had, learning about how to be healthier in mind, body and spirit, it would be my privilege to disseminate that same or similar information to others through the related content within Nature’s Pathways.

Brittney Stafki

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Brittney Stafki is a recent transplant to Wisconsin who grew up in the Minnesota St. Croix River Valley. Raised in the Midwest culture of Sunday football, ice fishing, county fairs, casseroles and lake cabins, she may have seemed like an unlikely convert to a holistic way of life. In adulthood, she has experimented with alternative food lifestyles that range from omnivore to raw foodism, and vegan to paleo. Brittney’s firsthand experience with these health trends makes it easy for her to connect with an audience who is seeking to enrich their lives with greater health and wellness. Moreover, her conversational writing style makes her contributions relatable and engaging. Brittney is active in sharing her passion and dedication to holistic wellness, and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in human nutrition through the University of Bridgeport.

Working with Nature’s Pathways means great things for you and your company! Whether you’re new to NP or you’ve partnered with us for a while now, we’re committed to helping you in any way we can. Here’s a quick look at how you can best maximize your partnership with our magazine.

Ad Design

When are ads due?

What makes a good ad/great ad?

Headline – Make a strong first impression and grab the reader’s attention.

Images – Images aren’t required for print ads, but they do draw attention. Images should support the copy in your ad.

White Space – Print ads are more visually appealing when the entire space isn’t filled with text and images overloading the viewer. It’s not wasted space, but allows for the message to get the attention of the target audience.

Copy – Less is more. If you include too much copy its likely to go unread. Space is limited, so make every word count. Bullet point different products or services your business offers.

Call to Action – Tell the viewer what to do now

Contact Information

Where to send ads

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

1-color black vs. 4-color black - http://www.imagekrafters.com/black-textAny black text in the ad should only containing one color, 100% black ink so the other three plates are not used. If the black text contains a any other of the four process colors then all of the plates would need to be in perfect registration to print clearly. This is difficult to achieve for many print companies.

Submit high-quality PDF files – Word or Publisher files will not be accepted.

Photos within the PDF should be at least 300 dpi and CMYK

If using Photoshop save as Photoshop PDF

Set black text to overprint

Articles

Writing articles for Nature’s Pathways has numerous benefits:

Your articles help establish you as an expert in your field

You help your community by sharing important information about wellness-related topics

You gain name recognition and, when combined with your advertisement, your article nets you double the exposure

Sharing information you’re passionate about is just plain fun!

Be sure to email your articles by the first of the month prior to publication; for example, the deadline for June’s issue would be May 1. You can send your items to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Editing

Have questions about writing for Nature’s Pathways? We’ve got answers!

Editorial Guidelines

The Nature’s Pathways Editorial Guidelines offer a great introduction to the article-writing process. This document also contains information on creating a biography for inclusion with your article and citing sources.Download PDF

New Writer/Advertiser Checklist

An easy-to-follow roadmap for the new writer/advertiser. This handy checklist walks you through each step involved in creating an article, ad, Community Partners Directory listing and calendar entry. With this guide you won’t miss a thing!Download PDF

The Inspiration Station

Have you hit a writer’s roadblock? We can help! Take a look at these great tips and our important events calendar.Download PDF

Writing Assistance

Credit Where Credit Is Due

Creative Paths: The Nature’s Pathways blog

Stay up-to-date with helpful tips from the NP Creative Team! Our editors and designers explain how to craft the perfect articles and ads for your audience. Here you’ll find entries like “How to write a better title,” “Knowing your audience,” and much more!Visit the Blog

Billing/account information

How to earn free advertising

The Nature’s Pathways Referral Program is a great way to earn advertising credits. Who do you know that would benefit from reaching our target audience?

Make a list of like-minded business professionals and share it with your Regional Account Manager or email your list to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Billing questions

Community Calendar entries

If your contract includes calendar listings, be sure to send us your events! Listing special occasions and celebrations in the Community Calendar is a great way to connect with customers new and old.

Email your calendar listing to our editing team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Be sure to include the following:

Event day (e.g., Tuesday), month and date

Event time

Event title

Event description (Please include the location, cost, and how readers can contact you or find out additional information)

Please email your calendar entry to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by the first of the month prior to publication; for example, the deadline for June’s issue would be May 1.

Community Partners Directory listings

If your contract includes a Community Partners Directory listing, congratulations!

Your directory listing should include any information you would like potential clients to know about your business:

Logo (if you have one)

Category heading — for example, “Fitness club” or “Dentistry”

Business name

Business address

Telephone number

Website address

100-word introduction to your business

Additional contact information, such as:

Your name

Your certification or job title

Your business email address

Please email your listing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by the first of the month prior to publication; for example, the deadline for June’s issue would be May 1.

Distribution

As part of your benefit in advertising with Nature’s Pathways, we’ll send you the number of publications indicated on your contract. Prior to your first delivery, decide how to maximize exposure with placement in your establishment.

Quick tip: Consider training your staff to hand a publication to each customer/client of yours to showcase your expertise as a published author!

If you need a rack to display Nature’s Pathways, please reach out to your Regional Account Manager and let them know. We will do our best to accommodate requests each month on a first-come, first-served basis.

Excess magazines

Our distribution company will pick up and count any excess magazines each month. It is important to not toss last month’s issue, as we use these numbers to update our distribution in each marketplace. It also allows us to track distribution for several months and make adjustments to the number of magazines you receive. We are mindful of waste at Nature’s Pathways and want to make sure all of the publications we print get into readers’ hands.

Event marketing

Attending an upcoming event? Would you like extra copies of Nature’s Pathways to have on hand to use as a marketing tool? Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact your Regional Account Manager. Our deadline is the 10th of the month prior to issue launch.

Changing the number of magazines you receive

Would you like to increase or decrease the number of magazines you receive each month? Have an event or expo coming up and need magazines for it? Know someone who would like to become a distribution site? Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!

A friendly reminder: Changes for the following month’s distribution are due by the 10th each month!

Social Media

Nature’s Pathways wants to promote you at every avenue. It is important you connect to us through social media so we can easily share information, posts, events and articles.

Facebook

Other Social Networks

NaturesPathways.com

Our website is a great compliment to our print publication. You may share your articles or any other articles from our website directly on your social media accounts. Spend some time on the Nature’s Pathways website to gain familiarity.

Quick tip: Create a link to the Nature’s Pathways website from yours. This will help you broadcast your content and advertising.

Have questions about writing for Nature’s Pathways? We’ve got answers!

Editorial Guidelines

The Nature’s Pathways Editorial Guidelines offer a great introduction to the article-writing process. This document also contains information on creating a biography for inclusion with your article and citing sources.Download PDF

New Writer/Advertiser Checklist

An easy-to-follow roadmap for the new writer/advertiser. This handy checklist walks you through each step involved in creating an article, ad, Community Partners Directory listing and calendar entry. With this guide you won’t miss a thing!Download PDF

The Inspiration Station

Have you hit a writer’s roadblock? We can help! Take a look at these great tips and our important events calendar.Download PDF

Writing Assistance

Credit Where Credit Is Due

Creative Paths: The Nature’s Pathways blog

Stay up-to-date with helpful tips from the NP Creative Team! Our editors and designers explain how to craft the perfect articles and ads for your audience. Here you’ll find entries like “How to write a better title,” “Knowing your audience,” and much more!Visit the Blog